Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, has announced the release of Lens Studio 5.0 Beta, its latest AR development tool aimed at providing advanced AR development capabilities and integrating artificial intelligence (AI) through its partnership with OpenAI. The announcement was made at the Lens Fest AR developer conference.
One of the key features of Lens Studio 5.0 Beta is the integration of OpenAI’s ChatGPT Remote API. This will enable developers to utilize ChatGPT in their lenses, allowing for the creation of text-based content and innovative learning, conversational, and creative experiences for Snapchat users. For example, developers can design lenses with infinite quizzes or randomizers powered by ChatGPT. Additionally, lenses can now change camera styles by automatically applying filters and directors modes based on user prompts.
Lens Studio 5.0 Beta also introduces a 3D face mask generator that combines generative AI and Snap’s face mesh capabilities. This feature allows anyone to quickly create their own viral self-expression lenses within seconds.
Enhanced productivity is another highlight, as projects now load 18 times faster with Lens Studio 5.0 Beta. This improvement enables developers to build more complex AR projects. Furthermore, the tool now supports version control tools like Git, facilitating collaborative work on projects among multiple developers.
Snap also announced the expansion of its Lenses with Digital Goods, which allows developers to offer exclusive AR features within lenses that can be unlocked by Snapchat users for a fee. Digital Goods are now available to any developer, and a dedicated section in Lens Explorer will promote these lenses, simplifying user discovery and engagement.
According to Snap, there are currently over 330,000 developers building on its AR platform, who have collectively created nearly 3.5 million lenses. Over the past year, these lenses have been viewed by Snapchat users more than 3 trillion times.
Snap provided an update on its Lens Creator Rewards program, which rewards AR creators and developers for their top-performing lenses. Although no specific payout figures were mentioned, the program has seen over 45,000 lenses opt in during its first month, resulting in more than 5 billion lens interactions by Snapchat users.
With Lens Studio 5.0 Beta and its new AI capabilities, open access to Digital Goods, and ongoing support for creators through the Lens Creator Rewards program, Snap continues to empower developers and creators to deliver innovative and engaging AR experiences to Snapchat’s user base.
